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This is primarily due to the limited availability of social gatherings for mature men and women, time constraints, busy careers, and the ease of access that dating apps provide. You don’t even have to dress for the occasion unless you’re socializing with them through video. It is almost too accessible, and this can cause dependency or addiction to online dating.

It can be very exciting for some people who have a limited social life. All of a sudden, they are receiving 5 to 10 contacts each day from prospective dates! Unfortunately, this doesn’t always continue after a few months of using these online services. Therefore, some men and women are registered on numerous sites to keep their dating life as active as possible. This can start to feel like a full-time job as time goes by.

Be Aware of Online Dating Dependency

The dependency is not necessarily even with meeting the contacts. It can be ego-boosting just talking or texting with someone online. It becomes your main focus and gives you something to look forward to every day.

Some men and women are content just to chat online. This can keep people interacting for months without ever meeting in person. This should be viewed as a big red flag. They may be married, in a relationship, or just playing games. They are definitely not invested in having a relationship.

Just because this form of dating seems easy, you should still have the same morals and values you have always had. Don’t let too many things go, or make excuses for bad behaviour. Know what “you want” going in. Make a list and try not to stray too far from your desires.

When someone is into you, they will make it happen without you having to question things. It is important to be mindful of giving energy to someone who isn’t invested in getting to know you.

Signs you are becoming dependent or addicted to dating apps.

Photo by SHVETS production

• You socialize less with friends.
• You are going to bed later and later due to online chats.
• You are becoming moody concerning the lack of online responses.
• You get depressed when there are no contacts every day, and check to see when your “past” dates are going online.
• You have approached the same people more than once without realizing it.
• You are becoming introverted and removed.

While online dating can be exciting, it is important to have a healthy balance of other priorities in your daily life.

1. Setting boundaries

Have time allocated each week to dedicate to browsing and chatting on dating platforms. Do not allow this to disrupt other important daily priorities. Mark it in your daytimer to stay consistent, and be strict with how long you commit to online dating each week. Your job, social life, fitness and sleep schedules should always be in healthy alignment.

2. Maintain your social connections

Your friends, family and hobbies should always be the priority over online dating. Having face-to-face interactions should never be compromised. This is imperative to maintaining your confidence in personal settings. Spending too much time on a dating app can play havoc with your self-worth. Things become too addictive, and before you know it, you are spending every free moment online.

3. Remove unnecessary pressure

Online dating can be very time-consuming. It can also be draining when things continually don’t work out. Don’t get caught up in feeling pressured to respond to someone immediately or spend too much time answering texts and chats during the day. This is where boundaries are important.

There is nothing wrong with telling someone you are very busy during your work hours, and it would be better for you to talk when you get home. Let them know this early on so it doesn’t become a problem. Also, be aware of the person who wants to text continuously but always makes an excuse why they cannot meet up in person. This is a huge red flag that shouldn’t be ignored!

Online dating becomes more of a pressure cooker when you don’t pay attention to the early warning signs. Listen to your instincts and do not ignore them. That is your intellect talking and helping you make the right choices. Spending time giving energy to the wrong people will hinder your chances of meeting your special person.

4. Prioritize your daily lifestyle

It is very important to maintain your hobbies/fitness activities, work life, family get-togethers and outings with your friends. Many men and women make the mistake of letting their online dating take precedence over everything else. Respecting yourself first is crucial if you want to be respected in return.

When you choose dating as your biggest priority each day, you can come across as being too available. Showing too much vulnerability will bring the wrong suitors toward you because you may come across as desperate. This will cause you many problems and is a big sign that you have become reliant or addicted to online dating.

5. Choose quality over quantity when using online dating apps.

Be smart and choose wisely. Be mindful of ending up in ongoing conversations full of promises that never come to fruition. You may only match with one person in a 2-week period, but don’t let that worry you. New people come online every day, and all it takes is one person to come into your life.

Don’t expect instant gratification. That will only lead to regular disappointment. If you start to become negative or frustrated, take some time away from dating online. Come back when your attitude is less restrictive.

It is a good idea to limit yourself to only one dating site; give it some time before you decide to join another one. The “free dating sites” are the most popular for obvious reasons. The trouble is that everybody initially joins them because they have nothing to lose financially. People are now becoming frustrated with those sites because no one follows through with anything. They are not as invested when they don’t have to pay for services.

It is also easier for scammers or married men and women to hide on those sites because they don’t have to add credit card information. They can’t be identified as easily.

There are a few dating sites out there that cost a little more, but they do some of the screening for you. eHarmony has an extensive personality questionnaire. Users are matched based on a comprehensive compatibility system. This can save you hours of chat time and searches. People are more serious when they have to pay for something. The old saying, “you get what you pay for,” can be a true cliché in this case.

Don’t believe everything you hear or read online. Keep your eyes wide open!

If any of the addictions mentioned above are becoming a part of your life, re-evaluate how you got to this place and make some changes. Be true to yourself and selective with what you are looking for in a potential partner. Don’t be in a rush to meet someone. Sexual chemistry can get you into trouble, so be aware of sleeping with someone too quickly. Things that happen fast usually end just as fast.

There may not be a huge list of suitors, but don’t let that deter you. It’s not about the number of people you date. It’s always been about quality when finding your special person. Give people a chance, but don’t put out too much energy if you don’t feel any sort of connection with someone. Be kind to the people you date, and always be respectful with how you interact with them during and after a date.

Thank you, Sybersue xo ❤

Private Dating Relationship Coaching With Sybersue—Please don’t hesitate to contact me at [email protected] and message me there to set up a video or audio appointment within 24 hours. Thank you!

Susan McCord @ Dear Sybersue YouTube – Dear Sybersue Facebook

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